Project Title: Tutorial Application for Genetic Algorithms
Student: Robert Lamont
Course: BSc in Computer Science

Abstract:
Genetic Algorithms are a field in artificial intelligence which is an 
evolutionary algorithm used to find good solutions to problems, such as 
the travelling salesman problem. An algorithm, such as a genetic algorithm, 
can be complex and be difficult to understand without any teaching material 
due to the many steps involved in the algorithm. Teaching material such as 
tutorials are a good way of portraying information from one party to another, 
using different teaching methods such as explanations, examples and in depth 
feedback on questions and answers surrounding the topic. However, having 
access to a tutorial can be difficult for people who do not have any links 
to teachers or specialists in a specific area who will be able to teach them 
about the topic. Due to this, using an interactive tutorial on mediums such 
as the internet or mobile phone applications can provide this information for 
those who want to learn about a specific topic.
Mobile phone applications are used widely and are downloaded more regularly 
than any other software, with 102,062 million application downloads worldwide [1]. 
From the research carried out in this project, it is visible that there is a gap 
in the mobile phone application marketplace for tutorial applications, specifically 
surrounding computer science and artificial intelligence.
The aim of this project is to design and create a tutorial application on the 
subject of genetic algorithms, which would be useable by anyone and not require 
any previous knowledge. In designing this application, I will also develop a 
framework which the tutorial will follow, based on the research I have completed 
and the support found for the educational methodologies.
To gain a full understanding of what is required in a tutorial and the needs of 
the application user, I have conducted in depth research into educational methods 
which are used for learning, as well as thoroughly researched the existing or 
similar systems in the mobile application marketplace. From this research, I have 
found that a tutorial will be effective for carrying out my project aims, therefore 
I have decided to create a tutorial application which will utilise the best proven 
educational methods to ensure maximum learning.
The solution that I have produced is an application for the android marketplace which 
teaches all aspects of genetic algorithms. This includes animated examples and an 
actual genetic algorithm implemented to show and teach how each part of the algorithm 
works and how a problem, such as the travelling salesman problem, which is featured 
in the application, can be solved using this algorithm.
Through using the application and completing each topic tutorial, the user will learn 
about how each part of a genetic algorithm works and can be used, along with the 
effect each part has on the problem and how the solution to the problem evolves. 
The user can test their knowledge at the end of each topic on questions to ensure 
they fully understand what they have just learned. User testing this application 
with potential users has successfully shown that this application is effective and 
after fully completing the tutorials on the application, each test user has agreed 
that the application is good and effective for learning about genetic algorithms.